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Getting set for the garden this year was a little different and lot less work than last year! While we haven't moved huge quantities of soil or built any structures, the gardening continues. I've had a few people ask me about building (and filling) a raised bed. If you are interested, check out my posts on this from last March.

I ordered seeds early and may have gotten a bit carried away, but I'm having fun! Botanical Interests is my seed company of choice. They are family owned and out of Colorado, non GMO, with many interesting and special organic and heirloom seeds. The seeds are high quality and the packets they come in contain much more than the average information. The illustrations are also pretty sweet.

I started marigold and bell pepper seedlings in the basement under fluorescent lights way back in January. They've grown very well and are now 5 to 6 inches tall and beginning to flower! I purchased two varieties of marigold seed, both of which I plan to intermix with veggies in the garden to help detract pests. I bought marigold plants last year at Lowe's, which was fine, but ordinary. I'm especially pleased with my marigold plants because they are far more unique and smaller than the average marigold plants readily available. I have two kinds: Marigold Dwarf Lemon Drop and Marigold Signet Lemon/Tangerine Gems.

Marigold Dwarf Lemon Drop

In January I also started my bell pepper plans, Pepper Sweet California Wonder. They've turned into quite beautiful plants, with interesting purple stems. I'm planning to move them out of the basement and into the sun porch soon so that they begin adjusting to the outdoor temperatures. I'll wait until after the average last frost (April 28th here in D.C.) before I plant them outside.

Pepper Sweet California Wonder

Tomatoes and basil: taste great together and also make great companion plants. I have a mixed pack of basil seeds that contains 7 variates. I'm going back to the Brandywine tomatoes this year, which were our favorite. We loved this sweet pinkish tomato! This year I'm also trying Cherokee Purple, Silvery Fir Tree, Green Zebra and Rainbow Blend Cherry. The seedlings are about an inch tall now and I'm planning to transplant them soon. I love the variety I get by planting seeds.

Outside I have a cold frame that I made late last fall from an old tent frame and heavy plastic. I closed it up for the winter with rosemary, winter kale, scallions, chives and lettuces inside. I wasn't sure what to expect and when I poked my head inside every few weeks, not much was happening. Then about a month ago I opened it up to let everything breathe and found that spring had come early inside. Kale, lettuces and chives took off.

The cold frame in November

The March cold frame harvest

I also mixed up the large raised bed and added nutrients for this year: compost, vermiculite and Dr. Earth's Organic Tomato, Herb and Vegetable fertilizer. I added new twine lines to make my planting squares for organization, and I'm all set!

It's a little early, but I went ahead and planted sugar snap peas, carrots, swiss chard, Siberian kale, lettuces, and spinach. Now, I wait, and not so patiently.